Woman stops intruder with medieval combat skills, swordAn Indiana woman said her training in medieval combat helped her corner a home intruder. The Indianapolis Star reported Karen Dolley, 43, of Indianapolis threw punches until she had the man cornered during the Thursday night break-in. She then kept him subdued with a Japanese sword she keeps near her bed. Dolley said she learned to fight as a teenager in the Society for Creative Anachronism, a group that recreates skills of the Middle Ages. Sh...

McDermott dared to change ArkansasSharp minds and courageous souls are the ones who ever dare to change the world. Such was the case with Charles M. McDermott. While his remarkable career already would have had a significant impact on Arkansas, McDermott’s drive and imagination almost made Arkansas the birthplace of air travel. McDermott was born in 1808 in rural West Feliciana Parish, Louisana, not far from Baton Rouge. He was born into a large family of sugar cane planters. ...

Harps started as migrant worker’s dreamMany Arkansans have become familiar with Harp’s grocery stores as they have sprouted up across the state. What has become the most successful Arkansas-based grocery store chain in the state started as the dream of one migrant farm worker determined to build his own business and create a better life for his family. Harvard Harp had spent many hard years picking produce in California before returning home to Arkansas. In 1930, in the midst of th...

AppreciationThis is to express my appreciation to the RSD, the athletic department, and the RHS homecoming committee for allowing me to serve as an honorary game captain for Friday’s game against Bryant. Having played my last game for the Red and Black some 44 years ago, I can think of no greater honor for a former Cyclone. But just as football is a team sport, this honor is something to be shared with all coaches, players and student managers from the 19...

The distinguished history of the USS ArkansasBy the beginning of the 20th century, the United States had built one of the most powerful navies in the world. The battleship USS Arkansas, designated BB-33 by the Navy, was an achievement for the expanding power of the U.S. Navy. During its career, the USS Arkansas and its crew would distinguish itself at some of the most important events of the early 20th century. Several others had the name of the Natural State. During the Civil War, both ...

Letter to the Editor: Protecting ArkansasI recently received a mailing from Plains & Eastern Clean Line regarding their planned project to run through Pope County. The mailing focused on the revenue it would bring to Dover and Hector schools. While bringing in revenue is important, it is also wise to be selective in what we support within our communities. Other considerations are worthy of discussion when impacting revenue already enjoyed; revenue that does not require the destructio...

Letter to the Editor: Rendering plantAgain, not living in Russellville, I don't really have a dog in this fight, but I would just like to make a couple of observations for folks to think about. This plant and its even worse odors were there long before the city grew to the size that it was, hence folks knew it was there before they built. It was originally built back in the 50s to serve the newly burgeoning poultry industry, which over the years, evolved into Tyson. Tyson eventua...

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Burglary suspects make poor getawayGeorgia authorities said two suspects in a drug store burglary chose one of the worst possible places to make their getaway — the police station. Police said the men ran from the business, ending up at the back gate of the Roswell police station. Roswell police said an officer on patrol heard an alarm coming from the Wender and Roberts Pharmacy around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police said the officer spotted three men wearing masks and gloves run f...

History Minute: Gwaltney became prominent writerArkansas has produced many writers who have made rich contributions to American literature, including Francis Irby Gwaltney. Though not remembered by many, Gwaltney enjoyed a distinguished career as a novelist. Gwaltney was born in the small community of Traskwood in Saline County on September 9, 1921. However, tragedy visited the family early and often. In 1923, his father, a respected doctor, died. His mother moved him and his two siblings t...

Letter to the Editor: Other Arkansas CoalitionThis is an open letter to members of our community who are choosing to fly the Confederate flag as a symbol of southern history, community and heritage. We write this letter as fellow southerners who are proud to call this beautiful place home. The Confederacy is a fundamental part of our shared southern history. It is essential we know this history in all of its complexity. And for this reason we cannot be silent. Some have suggested that whe...

Life of Congressman Samuel West PeelSamuel West Peel led a life that brought him from destruction to wealth and the halls of Congress. In the process, Peel became the first man born in Arkansas to represent Arkansas in Congress. He was born into a farming family in Independence County in North-Central Arkansas in 1831. After his mother died in 1835, he and his father moved west to what had been the growing community of Carrollton in Carroll County, where his father remarried and...

Consumer mentalityThe notion of a consumer surfaces in one connection and then another, while not uncommonly cast in an unfavorable light. As such, it appears to be a subtle temptation, readily accepted and even promoted, which in turn, suggests that we give it a more deliberate consideration. For instance, when engaged in higher education, we were at one point required to solicit student evaluations for each class. While there may have been some validity for t...

A big thank youMy husband and I would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to Jeremiah Donahue and Bill Payne of Mt. Nebo State Park, Yell County Sheriff deputies Jim Hodges and Tom Berryhill, along with Blake Ward and Andy Neil of the Yell County Mounted Patrol who came to our aid in an emergency situation. On August 30, I took a hard fall while hiking the Bench Trail on Mt. Nebo about 1.5 miles from the Overlook. My husband called 911, and Bill Payne,...

Letter to Editor: Aquatic Center: Jobs and revenue maker or a drain (pun intended) on taxpayersHats off to former Mayor Bill Eaton for leading the way in rethinking the actual cost of the Aquatic Center. Here are some questions that need to be answered before any further revenue is spent. 1. Has Russellville bitten off more than the taxpayers want to chew? 2. How many permanent full-time jobs will be established and how much money is it going to cost the taxpayers per job? 3. What will be the energy and building cost to build and mainta...

Letter to the Editor: Do not judge the tribe for what few have doneDear Editor, I see much controversy about Mexican people coming to the U.S. I feel that too much hatred is directed towards the Mexican people that come to the U.S. When I was a professional soldier, I almost always had soldiers of Mexican descent in my platoon, and to the last man, they made excellent soldiers. When I asked for volunteers for a mission, it would invariably be a soldier of Mexican descent that would be the first to volunteer. ...

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FOR THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Letter to the Editor: Odor controlI see the city of Russellville has spent the money to have three people trained and certified to perform the function of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Maybe these people can sniff out the “Welcome to Russellville” sign buried under brush at Exit 84 on Interstate 40?? Andrew Jacobs Pottsville

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History Minute: ‘Goose’ Tatum brought joy around the world“My goal in life is to make people laugh,” once remarked Arkansan Reece “Goose” Tatum. As the “clown prince of basketball” and part of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, Tatum brought laughter to millions. Tatum was born in El Dorado in May 1921, the fifth of seven children born to Ben and Alice Tatum. His father worked as a preacher and farmer while also working at local sawmills. He attended El Dorado schools, eventually attending what w...

Wells, ropes and bucketsIn John 4, Jesus had a very enlightening conversation with a Samaritan woman. For the very first time, Jesus identified Himself as the promised and long-awaited Messiah. But first Jesus revealed a new descriptive name for Himself: Living Water. Jesus drew a great contrast between Himself and earthly, hand-dug wells. These wells sometimes run dry. Ropes and buckets are required to retrieve water from those wells that have not run dry. The Livin...

Club News: Pope County Cattlemen’s AssociationThe Pope County Cattlemen’s Association met at 7 p.m. on July 16, at the Oak Grove Freewill Baptist Church Fellowship Hall for the regular monthly meeting. The opening prayer was given by the pastor Mark Simmons and then members and guest enjoyed a delicious meal of brisket, potatoes, beans and a desert. President Gerald Chenowith called the meeting to order and thanked Brandon Oakley for sponsoring the meal. First vice-president Walters intro...

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THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley